diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/package.py b/lib/spack/spack/package.py
index 0d6c400bd86..91419e3a3fe 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/package.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/package.py
@@ -551,7 +551,8 @@ def nearest_url(version):
                     base_url, self.url_version(version))
             return vdesc.url
         else:
-            return nearest_url(version)
+            base_url = nearest_url(version)
+            return url.substitute_version(base_url, self.url_version(version))
 
 
     @property